Monday, September 27, 2010

We do not need a linguist to tell us that liturgy is the work of the people. We know it from what we do Sunday after Sunday as a people gathered to praise God. Although we pay some people (pastor, cantor) to provide leadership in our worship, we know that the liturgy is not their domain alone, but belongs to all of us together. You can see it in the vigor of our singing, in the intensity of our listening, in the fervor of our prayer, in the reverence of our bowing, in the care and frequency with which we mark our bodies with the sign of the cross, the sign of Christ and his people. We own the liturgy with passion because it centers us on what is most important to us: God, and God’s immeasurable love for us in Christ Jesus. We find as well, you and I, that liturgy does not just stay within the walls of the church building, but comes with us into our homes and into our world, It gets into our bones. It shapes our being. It informs what we say and what we do, We know something about the rhythm of the seasons, about the importance of the feasts, about the awesomeness of God, about the wonder of God’s Spirit at work in God’s people. And so we find the words of the Kyrie on our lips not just on Sunday morning, but when we hear of yet another killing in Afghanistan or Iraq or north Minneapolis; “Lord, have mercy.” And so we find ourselves declaring “thanks be to God” not only at the conclusion of a scripture reading but also when brought face to face with the gracious love of God in the kind words of a friend or in the loving deeds of a stranger. Because all who worship know something about worship, and because we together hold a vast store of knowledge, perspective, and passion when it comes to liturgy, in the coming months non-staff members of the congregation will contribute to the “Accent on Worship” column in The Olive Branch. Staff members will still write as they have in the past, but once a month someone else from the congregation will write the article that fills this space. I suspect that we will find what is written by those who sit beside us in the pew to be interesting, enlightening, and challenging, and that it will lead us into a deeper appreciation of our worship of God.SOLI DEO GLORIA.

Warren Peterson, Director of Worship

The Feast of St. Francis of AssisiMonday, October 4, 2010 Blessing of Animals – 7:00 pm

Bring your friends (2-legged, 4-legged, and no-legged!) for this annual service of blessing of pets, held in the Nave.

Pastor Joseph Crippen to be Installed on October 17

The celebratory Eucharist with Rite of Installation will be at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, October 17. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m. Following the liturgy, all are invited to attend a celebration luncheon to honor and welcome the Crippen family. Those preparing the meal need to know how many are coming, and ask that you let us know if you are planning to come, so that they know how much food to prepare. Reservation cards were mailed to all Mount Olive members and friends last week, and they are also available at church in the narthex. If you are planning to come, return a reservation card, or call or email the church office by October 10 to let us know. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday’s Adult Forum

October 3: Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of Augsburg College will speak about the life and thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. As we approach the U.S. election day, we should reflect on how Christians, whose Lord is Jesus Christ, manage their affairs in the civic state. Are “Church” and “State” really separate? Should they be? These are long-rehearsed questions within the Lutheran tradition. On October 3 and 10, Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of Augsburg College will speak about the life and thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A young and brilliant Lutheran theologian in Germany during the rise of Hitler and the Nazi state, Bonhoeffer struggled with his loyalties to Christ (which he believed required a commitment to nonviolence) and his profound concern over the spread of Nazi terror. He eventually forsook nonviolence to participate in a conspiracy toward the assassination of Adolph Hitler. He was discovered and eventually executed by the Nazis for his involvement in that conspiracy. And he is now honored in the Lutheran calendar as a martyr for Christ for giving his life in defense of the defenseless. But how did his theology develop? Who was this German pastor and theologian – now one of the most controversial of those considered martyrs? Dr. Hale will address these and other questions in her two presentations in the Adult Forum, a task for which she is eminently qualified. Dr. Hale is associate professor of religion at Augsburg College, having completed her Ph.D. dissertation on Bonhoeffer at the University of Virginia. She is also the chair-elect of the English Section of the International Bonhoeffer Society.

Creation Care Group

Lutherans have long been concerned with stewardship issues. More and more of us are redefining stewardship to include creation care. Indeed, the rise of the local interfaith group Congregations Caring for Creation (http://www.ccc.nonprofitoffice.com/) illustrates the powerful ways that people of faith can respond to ecological degradation, climate change, and environmental inequities. With this in mind, it seems appropriate for our congregation to begin to explore the possibility of establishing a Creation Care group here at Mount Olive. Please join us for a discussion in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m. on October 10, 2010 to look into the possibilities of starting such a group. If you are interested, but unable to attend, contact Michael Lansing at lansing@augsburg.edu with your ideas. Thanks!

Pastoral Care in the Post-Interim Interim

During these weeks before Pastor Crippen begins his ministry among us on October 11, please know that pastoral care is available to all who need it. If you are in need of a pastor, please call Rev. Art Halbardier at 763-639-7701, or Rev. Rob Ruff at 651-983-9622.

Book Discussion Group

For their meeting on October 9 the Book Discussion group will read, The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. And for their meeting on November 13, they will read, The Red and the Black, by Stendhal. The Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am in the Chapel Lounge. All readers are welcome!

Chicago Avenue to be Resurfaced

Beginning today (9/27), Chicago Avenue in front of the church will be closed for approximately two weeks as the Minneapolis Public Works Dept. removes the existing asphalt on the street and replaces it with new pavement. Chicago Ave. is posted “NO PARKING” and during this time we ask that all from Mount Olive park in the church parking lot across 31st Ave. until the project is complete. There are two parking spaces and a ramp behind the church which can be used to drop off or pick up those with handicap accessibility needs.

Minnesotans Standing Together: A Multi-faith Prayer Service for Respect

Former Governor Al Quie will provide the opening address on Tuesday, September 28 as Minnesotans of many faith traditions will join together at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis to pray for respect for the many ways that citizens of the state profess their religious beliefs. Other participants include the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches, Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An Nur and Rabbi David Locketz, President of the Minnesota Rabbinical Assocation.

This Sunday, October 3, come and hear Mount Olive’s mighty Schlicker pipe organ in an entirely different role: as accompaniment, or improvised sound, for the original 1925 Lon Chaney movie, “The Phantom of the Opera”. John Schwandt is equally at home on a classical or theatrical pipe organ and is known for his award-winning improvisational skills, his musical versatility, and his ability to excite and engage audiences of every kind. Not to be missed! A popcorn and refreshments reception will follow the performance.

Volunteer Tutors Desperately Needed for Way to Goals Tutoring

Last school season there were six volunteer tutors for Way to Goals Tutoring. After Christmas we had only nine students (down from 13) who came regularly. This year the program is losing two of six tutors, which leaves only four tutors. Even with six tutors, some had to take more than one student, and when we begin in October we always have more kids than we really should take. There are always a few students who should be in a one-to-one tutoring situation, but sometimes that can't happen because there are not enough volunteers. Additional tutors are desperately needed! If YOU can find it in your heart to take on the rewarding volunteer task of helping a child with homework (for an hour each Tuesday evening at 7 pm, October-May), please call Donna Neste at church and she will give you all the details and answer any questions about the program that you may have.

Our New Pastor: A Brief Introduction

October 17 and the Installation of Mount Olive's seventh pastor, Joseph G. Crippen, are just around the corner. As we embark on a new era and prepare to welcome Pastor Crippen and his family into our parish, a little biographical information would seem an appropriate way to begin the introductions and conversations between pastor and people, the undershepherd and his flock. Pastor Crippen is the second of seven children born to Gary and the late Nancy Crippen and grew up in Worthington, in southwest Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Worthington, and graduated from Worthington High School in 1981. Mary Crippen grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota, and graduated from Burnsville High School in 1983. They are both graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Prior to seminary, Pastor Crippen served as a youth director at St. Philip's Lutheran Church, Hastings, Minnesota. Pastor Crippen did his M. Div. at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, graduating in 1991. While at LSTC he studied with many of the Seminex faculty, one of the reasons he chose to attend this school, having grown up in the Missouri Synod and having left it as an adult. As an aside, he says it was during this time that he was also privileged to work with and know the late Paul Manz, which was a great joy. He did his internship at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Syracuse, Nebraska. His first call was to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Minnesota, and he has been at St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield the past 14 years. The Crippens have four children. Hannah is 21 and is a senior at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Martha is 18 and is a first year student at Luther College. Rachel is 16 and a Junior in High School. Peter is 13 and is in seventh grade. Both Pastor and Mary have family in the Twin Cities as well as around the country (Seattle, Dallas, Sioux Falls, and Worthington). Let the conversation and introductions continue at a special welcome luncheon following the 10:45 Holy Eucharist and Rite of Installation on the 17th, at a "Meet the Pastor" Adult Forum between the liturgies on October 31, and whenever pastor and people come together in the days and seasons to come.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Sunday, September 26, 2010, Ordinary Time: Sunday 268:00 & 10:45 a.m. - Holy Eucharist(Following the second Eucharist, a special congregational brunch will be held in the Undercroft. This will be an opportunity to say goodbye to Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl, and to express our appreciation for her work among us these past fourteen months. All are invited to attend.)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, When I started here a little over a year ago, someone asked me how I could take on a ministry that I know I will have to say good bye in a short time. I replied that I focus on the task ahead and do not think about saying good-bye. Now, however, my task is to say good-bye. This is a happy-sad time for me. I am happy about the call of Pastor Crippen to serve as your pastor and I am excited for the future of Mount Olive. Yet, I am sad to leave a people I have served and held in my heart for the past fourteen months. It has been a challenging year. We have faced expected and unexpected challenges and changes, but we have faced them together seeking God’s presence and guidance. I am honored to have served as your pastor for this short time in Mount Olive’s history. I have also been honored to work together with you in service to Christ’s church. I feel a sense of completion, even though there is more work to be done at Mount Olive, but I have done what God has called me here to do. Now it is time for Pastor Crippen to do what God has called him to do in this place. The work for the kingdom of God is never over, we keep plugging along wherever God has called us to be. The message of God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ needs to be shared with the world, especially in these days where all our supports are being washed away. The power of the Holy Spirit uses workers like you and me to keep the work and ministry of Jesus Christ alive. Our calling is to serve Jesus Christ wherever we are, in whatever we do, and in whatever we say. I do not know what God has in store for me next. I plan to take some time off to work on some writing projects before I take another intentional interim assignment. As many of you know I feel called to teach and continue to look for a seminary teaching position, however I am open to serve Jesus Christ in any way that I am needed (which, by the way, is what brought me to Mount Olive). Whatever is next for me, I know that I will be serving Christ's church and all of God's people, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. In my time here at Mount Olive, I have often found myself quoting Proverbs 27:17. The whole of Proverbs 27 emphasizes two things: friendship and paradoxical twists in human relationships. Verse 17 goes like this, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.” Genuine friendship, when you truly care about one another, has a sharpening effect because friends are not afraid to exercise tough love. We have sharpened one another and, I believe, we are both the better for it. May the Spirit of the living God continue to sharpen your faith and your lives so that your bear the good news of Jesus Christ wherever you are, in whatever you do, and whatever you say.

This Sunday, September 26, will be Pastor Hollie’s last day as Mount Olive’s Interim Pastor. Please continue to remember Pastor Hollie and her family in your prayers as she concludes her work among us at Mount Olive and prepares to hand the mantel of pastoral care to Pastor Crippen. A farewell brunch will be served following the second liturgy this Sunday to thank Pastor Hollie for her work among us during this interim, and the 10:45 liturgy will include our Farewell and Godspeed as she looks to the future and what God has in store for her next. Please join us for both.

The Feast of St. Francis of AssisiMonday, October 4, 2010Blessing of Animals – 7:00 pm

Bring your friends (2-legged, 4-legged, and no-legged!) for this annual service of blessing of pets, held in the Nave.

Financial Update

As of August 31, 2010, general giving year to date totals $299,770.00. This giving total is $16,711 less than the actual amount received last year for the same period. Our budgeted income for June 30, (what we planned on receiving and the amount approved during the budgeting process last fall), totals $383,866.00. Comparing actual income as of August 31 to budgeted income places us $84,000 behind - ( I would like to note that the church’s operating expenses continue to be lower, which has lessened the impact of budgeted income being behind the planned amount). - Paul Sundquist, Treasurer

Upcoming Events – Heads Up!

September 26 – Farewell and Godspeed for Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl. All are invited to gather for lunch following the second liturgy.October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Blessing of Animals at 7 pmOctober 17 – Installation of Pastor Joseph Crippen (Please note revised schedule for this day also: The celebratory Eucharist will be at 10:45 a.m. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m., with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)October 18, Feast of St. Luke – Holy Eucharist with Rite of Healing at Noon and 7 pmOctober 24, 9:30 am – Semi-Annual Congregation MeetingOctober 31, Reformation Day – Consecration Sunday

Sunday’s Adult Forum

September 26: A conversation with Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl about our journey together over the past fourteen months.

Volunteer Tutors Desperately Needed for Way to Goals Tutoring

Last school season there were six volunteer tutors for Way to Goals Tutoring. After Christmas we had only nine students (down from 13) who came regularly. This year the program is losing two of six tutors, which leaves only four tutors. Even with six tutors, some had to take more than one student, and when we begin in October we always have more kids than we really should take. There are always a few students who should be in a one-to-one tutoring situation, but sometimes that can't happen because there are not enough volunteers. Additional tutors are desperately needed! If YOU can find it in your heart to take on the rewarding volunteer task of helping a child with homework (for an hour each Tuesday evening at 7 pm, October-May), please call Donna Neste at church and she will give you all the details and answer any questions about the program that you may have.

Highlights from the September Vestry Meeting

The Vestry met on September 13 for a rather lengthy three hours. Three guests were hosted.1) Keith Bartz brought a policy proposal from the Mount Olive Foundation that more clearly defines how undesignated bequests will be handled. The Vestry tweaked the proposal slightly and requested that memorial gifts be included in the document. Keith will revisit the Vestry's requests with the Foundation Board soon.2) Lora Dundek presented a Space Use/Allocation and Furnishing Guideline document for our perusal, outlining ways to handle furnishings, space usage, and completion of the building project. The Vestry and Building committee are well aware that, although the building project is complete, the overall space use and aesthetics are yet to be realized. This guideline addresses this and assures that future acquisitions will be done in a thoughtful, economical and reasonable manner.3) Gary Flatgard presented a report on the recent financial distress of the Meals on Wheels program in South Minneapolis. Gary outlined all of the work he's done on the board with the group in reorganizing the rules and regulations and governing structure. The Vestry decided to have Mount Olive remain in the Meals on Wheels program through December 31st to allow them to restructure the organization and correct the things that created the current crisis. At that point, we will revisit continued participation and helping the program dig out of debt. After the guests left, we then proceeded with our agenda. Adam updated us on the resumption of the Mutual Ministry Committee which is part of the Mount Olive Bylaws. An organization committee will be up and running this month to establish some guidelines and objectives. There was much discussion on the pastoral transition. Plans are in the works for a farewell brunch for Pastor Hollie on September 26, and a welcome luncheon for Pastor Crippen on October 17. Pastor Hollie, David, and Donna all submitted their written reports. Directors gave their specific reports. Most notably, Diana Hellerman reported that the first week of Godly Play went well. Discussion ensued about the inclusion of teen members in the Godly Play program, and we all agreed that the transition into Godly Play will continue, as will dialog regarding teen involvement. It was also mentioned that the confirmation program has transitioned well and is continuing to evolve. All education programs are ongoing and in a state of adjustment and flux as we transition into a new era at Mount Olive. Paul Schadewald continues to work with Global Missions and his committee is cutting some work due to budget constraints, and deciding which projects are most valuable. David Molvik updated us on Properties issues, including rekeying the entire building, which will allow new and safer locks for exiting doorways from the church proper. It was noted that the very first items for the new congregation "Wish List" have been submitted by the Worship Committee. We still hope to publish such a wish list in October so that members who so desire may make donations to the glory of God by enhancing our work and life at Mount Olive. It was noted that annual staff reviews will be done by next month. The idea of a new Earth Care Committee was introduced, but tabled at this meeting. It will have to be decided under which committee this interest group will fall. It was hoped that a review of the current membership rolls could be discussed during this meeting, along with preliminary budgeting for 2011. However, both were tabled and a special meeting was scheduled for September 20th at 6 pm, so that the annual budget can be presented in a timely manner. -Brian E. Jacobs, Vestry Vice President

Pastoral Care in the Post-Interim Interim

During the next couple of weeks before Pastor Crippen begins his ministry among us on October 11, please know that pastoral care is available to all who need it. If you are in need of a pastor, please call Rev. Art Halbardier at 763-639-7701, or Rev. Rob Ruff at 651-983-9622.

Book Discussion Group

For their meeting on October 9 the Book Discussion group will read, The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. And for their meeting on November 13, they will read, The Red and the Black, by Stendhal. The Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am in the Chapel Lounge. All readers are welcome!

Twenty-five years ago a group of scholars got together seeking to reconstruct the historical Jesus. It was called the Jesus Seminar. The scholars used a color-coded bead system to determine whether or not Jesus said a particular statement. This group decided that Jesus only said 18% of what was attributed to him in the gospels. As you can image they received widespread criticism for their work. Twenty-five to twenty years ago if you were to mention “Jesus Seminar” in Christian circles you would have been guaranteed to stir up all kinds of emotions. Now as they group marks its 25th anniversary in October, if you mention “Jesus Seminar” people will say, “What?” or they will state, “I remember hearing about it but I know remember anything about it.”

So why do I mention the 25th anniversary of the Jesus Seminar today? Well because one of the sayings of Jesus that made the final cut to be included in the 18%, determined by the Jesus Seminar scholars to actually have been spoken by Jesus, is our gospel reading for today: The parable of the shrewd or dishonest steward. Isn’t that something, one of the most difficult or troubling of Jesus’ parables got the nod from the Jesus Seminar folks, who also rejected 82% of what is attributed to Jesus in the gospel.

Truly today’s gospel reading (Luke 16:1-13) with the parable of the shrewd steward is troubling and difficult to interpret. At first reading it may catch you off guard. This guy gets in trouble for “squandering his [master’s] property” and looses his job. So the Steward he goes and does some creative accounting, or he “cooks the books,” he goes to different people and engages in dishonest activity. He reduces what they actually owe to his former master. They are eager to have some debt forgiven and they are appreciative of him. However, just when you think the steward is really going to get busted by his former master. The rich man praises his shrewd business dealings, and you can’t quite figure it out.

We know about shrewd business dealings, the news media is full of stories about ponzi schemes, embezzlers, and bank CEO’s padding their pockets with bailout money. We are watching trials and hearing about these shrewd practices which serve the good of one individual at the expense of others and we want to see justice. Put them behind bars. Take away their mansions, cars, and Swiss bank accounts we want to see the money returned to the ones who were wronged. Even Christian people have embezzled from congregations and mismanaged church finances, and I don’t know about you, but I want justice. This parable catches me flat footed, expecting the steward to be put away for life. But then his actions are praised. What’s going on? Has Jesus lost it?

This parable is told in a section of Luke’s gospel called the travel narrative. Jesus is doing a lot of traveling and teaching to different audiences in different places. He speaks to large crowds, small groups, individuals, disciples, the twelve, Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. He speaks in response to specific questions, “Will only a few be saved” (Luke 13:23) or when the kingdom of God was coming (Luke 17:20) or “What must I do to inherit eternal life” (Luke 18:18)? He speaks because he knows they are thinking (Luke 11:17), because the Pharisees are hostile toward him (Luke 12:1), because he watches them take seats of honor (Luke 14:7), because the need to pray and not loose hear (Luke 18:1), and because they trusted themselves and regarded others with contempt (Luke 18:9).

Also throughout the travel narrative the warning that one’s wealth must be handled wisely is a recurring theme:“At dinner Jesus denounced the greed of the Pharisees and challenged them to give alms (11:39-41). The rich fool forfeited his soul (12:13-21). The prudent steward was praised (12:42-48), and warnings are given all through chap. 12 regarding how to prepare for the final accounting. The outcasts are called to the great banquet (14:15-24), and the cost of discipleship is high; No one cnl be Jesus’ disciple who will not give up all possessions (14:33).” (The New Interpreters Bible Volume IX: Luke & John, p. 306)

Today we have the parable of the shrewd or dishonest steward which is directly and unexpectedly linked to the parable of the prodigal son, where both of the characters “squandered his property” (see Luke 15:13 & 16:1). Again we have a teaching about wisely handling one’s wealth.

The key to understanding this parable and its location next to and link to the prodigal son, is to see Jesus’ audience and reasons for speaking. The prodigal son is told in the presence of the Pharisees and scribes because they were grumbling and saying “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). So Jesus tells the parable the lost and rejoicing at their return.

Then immediately after that, Jesus turns to his disciples and tells this the parable of the dishonest steward. The audience is the disciples, as we have learned earlier the cost of following Jesus is high and more is required of a disciple of Jesus than an admirer.

Let me illustrate this difference: I have a friend who runs in marathons. I admirer him but I am not going to go and follow him on his daily ten mile run Monday through Friday and a 17 mile run on Saturday. I will only do that if I am going to be his disciple or follower. To be a follower I have to do a ten mile run Monday through Friday and a 17 mile run on Saturday.

So there is a different standard for a follower. Jesus invites all, but once we are disciples we are called to follow a different standard.

I see four things in this passages we can learn (adapted from Barclay’s New Testament Commentary: Luke):

First of all we can learn that the children of this age are shrewder in dealing with the world than the children of light. If Christians were as eager and ingenious in their attempt to attain goodness, as those of the world is in attaining money and comfort, what a witness that would be. If only people would give as much attention to the things which concern their souls as they do to the things which concern their business, the world would be a better place. Our Christianity will begin to be real and effective only when we spend as much time and effort on it as we do on our worldly activities.

Secondly, we learn that material possessions should be used to cement the friendships. This is where the real and permanent value of life lies. The Rabbis had a saying, "The rich help the poor in this world, but the poor help the rich in the world to come." It was a Jewish belief that charity given to poor people would stand to one's credit in the world to come. One's true wealth would consist not in what is kept, but in what is given away. Possessions are not in themselves a sin, but they are a great responsibility, and those who use them to help others has gone far to discharge that responsibility.

Thirdly we learn that one's way of fulfilling a small task is the best proof of one’s fitness or unfitness to be entrusted with a bigger task. We may not be called to great things, like bringing about peace in the Middle East but we may have the chance to give someone a glass of cold water, visit a person in the nursing home, read a story to a child, or pick up trash in the neighborhood.

Finally we learn that one cannot serve two masters. The way we use what we have reveals who we serve. When we look at our checkbook ledger or credit card statement, what does our use of money say about us?

Dear Friends in Christ, we are to be faithful whether we deal in little things or vast resources. We are called to be shrewd stewards of what God has given us to help others. Because when we worship God rather than our wealth we will find that we truly have friends in high places.

Accent on Worship Have you ever intervened for a friend in trouble? That’s what Paul was doing for the run-away slave, Onesimus, as we heard in the Second Lesson for this past Sunday. He was intervening on Onesimus' behalf to his master Philemon. Paul knew fellow-Christian Philemon and he met Onesimus, who became a Christian in prison where Paul was also incarcerated. Paul was asking Philemon to take him back. He was appealing to Philemon’s sense of Christian compassion. “Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love.” Every motive has energy behind it and the force of love, as opposed to the force of duty, honor, hate, etc., is the most powerful motive on earth. Recently I was watching a documentary about the brain. The last 15 minutes of the program was about a brain scientist who studied the brains of killers, and found the same pattern in each one of their brains. Because this scientist had six killers in his family tree and because he was a descendant of the infamous Lizzy Borden, he decided to scan his own brain and the brains of his siblings, his children, and his grandchildren. All were normal except for his. He had a brain like every killer whose brain he had studied. He told the interviewer that he had never felt the urge to kill, and his siblings said that he is a kind and gentle man. His children all agreed, saying that he'd never raised his voice to them, much less a hand. The only explanation that this scientist could give for why he was not also a killer was his upbringing. His parents were nurturing and encouraging and his childhood was full of love. His parents potentially stopped a killer with nothing but the force of their love. Talk about nature vs. nurture! Nature doesn’t stand a chance when the force of love is a factor. Jesus calls us to do some seemingly impossible things, like loving our enemy and forgiving those who hurt us. But these are also the most practical things to do for a better world. Let’s stop the violence with us, let’s love and nurture our children to become good and giving adults, and let’s forgive so that we can forget and go on with our lives. Hopefully, Philemon took Paul’s advice and did the same.- Donna Pususta Neste

Olive Branch Publication Schedule Administrative Assistant Cha Posz will be out of the office during the week of September 13-17. The Olive Branch will return to weekly publication beginning September 20.

Worship Schedule for September 12 This Sunday, September 12, we will bless our newly renovated church facilities. The celebratory Eucharist and blessing will be at 10:45 a.m. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m. on this day, followed by fellowship and blessing of the Church School year (for all ages!) at 9:30 a.m. Our regular worship schedule of two Sunday Eucharists (8:00 and 10:45 am) resumes on Sunday, September 19. Please note that we will utilize this same schedule on Sunday, October 17, when Pastor Crippen is installed: Morning Prayer at 8 a.m., and the Holy Eucharist at 10:45 a.m.

Why One Eucharist? On rare occasions at Mount Olive we observe an unusual schedule of one Eucharist on a Sunday which would normally include a two-Eucharist schedule. These days include rites that should only occur once (such as an installation, or in the case of this Sunday, the blessing of the newly-renovated facilities). In addition, since these are significant occasions, the desire is for all of us to be present together at one Eucharist where these rites occur. The last time this schedule was observed was the installation of Cantor Cherwien in September of 2001. This fall we have two such events close together: the blessing of the renovated facilities this Sunday (September 12), and the Installation of Pastor Crippen on October 17. Morning Prayer will also be offered at 8:00 am on these days, but is not intended to replace or to serve as an alternative to the Eucharist - it is offered in case there are those who desire to attend both on these days.

Farewell and Godspeed Sunday, September 26 will be Pastor Hollie’s last day as our Interim Pastor. This will allow a couple Sundays before Pastor Crippen begins, which she felt is important. Please continue to remember Pastor Hollie and her family in your prayers as she concludes her work among us at Mount Olive and prepares to hand the mantel of pastoral care to Pastor Crippen. A luncheon will be held following the second liturgy on September 26 to thank Pastor Hollie for her work among us during this interim, and the 10:45 liturgy will include our Farewell and Godspeed as she looks to the future and what God has in store for her next. Please join us for both.

Church School Resumes This Sunday! Church School begins again this Sunday, September 12 at 9:30 a.m. with the Blessing of the Church School Year. This blessing is for all learners and teachers of all ages. Children and adults will gather together for this brief blessing, followed by our first Church School session of the year, which begins with Music and Sacred Story in the Godly Play model. All Confirmation students are welcome and encouraged to join the Music and Sacred Story circle, too!

2010-2011 Confirmation Schedule Confirmation instruction for youth in grades 6-8 will begin soon. Class will meet monthly in conjunction with the Community Meal. Instruction will be from 9:30am-11:30am, and from 11:30am-12:30pm students will assist with the community meal. Here are the dates for the coming year: Saturday, September 11, 2010 Saturday, October 2, 2010 Saturday, November 6, 2010 (Off in December and January) Saturday, February 5, 2011 Saturday, March 5, 2011 Saturday, April 2, 2011 Saturday, May 7, 2011

Upcoming Events – Heads Up!September 12 – Blessing of newly-renovated Parish House and kitchen. (Please noterevised schedule for the day: Morning Prayer at 8 am, and one Holy Eucharist at 10:45 am, with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)September 26 – Farewell and Godspeed for Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl. All are invited to gather for lunch following the second liturgy.October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Blessing of Animals at 7 pmOctober 17 – Installation of Pastor Joseph Crippen (Please note revised schedule for this day also: The celebratory Eucharist will be at 10:45 a.m. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m., with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)October 18, Feast of St. Luke – Holy Eucharist with Rite of Healing at Noon and 7 pmOctober 24, 9:30 am – Semi-Annual Congregation MeetingOctober 31, Reformation Day – Consecration Sunday

Happy Anniversary, LSS! Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is celebrating its 145th anniversary! As a strong supporter of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Mount Olive has been invited to participate in this gala event. The LSS Celebration for Changing Lives is Saturday, September 18, 2020, 5:30-9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South. It promises to be a wonderful evening. Here are some of the highlights:• Jim Klobuchar and his daughter, US Senator Amy Klobuchar, will be featured in a father-daughter conversation about what it means to grow up in Minnesota and how values are passed from one generation to the next.• Inspiring stories from participants in LSS programs like: homeless youth services, counseling services for war veterans (CORE program) and services to persons with disabilities.• Great entertainment from musicians Jearlyn Steele, on vocals, accompanied by her brother, Billy Steele.• A fund-the-need auction will raise much needed support for LSS services.

For more information about the LSS Celebration for Changing lives, call Jilien Harvey at 651-642-5990. You can register on line at www.lssmn.org/celebration. If you would like to be seated at the Mount Olive table, please indicate in the "notes" field of the registration page.

Fire Victims Update Six weeks ago Mount Olive Congregation took a special offering for neighbors Juan and Laura Quintana and their family, who lost everything they owned in a house fire, just a block or two from the church. Thanks to your generosity, over $2,000 was collected and given to them. This money helped them to relocate to a new residence within two weeks, not far from where they had been living before the fire. (This was very important to them because Laura is still able to walk or take a bus to her job at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.) Many thanks to everyone who gave a gift of any size to help them! Thanks also to Andrew Andersen who donated some household items, to Carol Austermann who donated furniture, and to Mark Pipkorn and Art Halbardier who donated the use of their vehicles and helped Juan haul the furniture and household items to their new home.

Volunteer Tutors Desperately Needed for Way to Goals Tutoring Last school season there were six volunteer tutors for Way to Goals Tutoring. After Christmas we had only nine students (down from 13) who came regularly. This year the program is losing two of six tutors, which leaves only four tutors. Even with six tutors, some had to take more than one student, and when we begin in October we always have more kids than we really should take. There are always a few students who should be in a one-to-one tutoring situation, but sometimes that can't happen because there are not enough volunteers. Additional tutors are desperately needed! If YOU can find it in your heart to take on the rewarding volunteer task of helping a child with homework (for an hour each Tuesday evening at 7 pm, October-May), please call Donna Neste at church and she will give you all the details and answer any questions about the program that you may have.

Merci beaucoup! Carolyn Mowery wishes to thank all of her friends from Mount Olive who celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday, September 5, especially for the gift of beautiful roses. They meant much and were a beautiful symbol of wonderful friendships.

North Minneapolis Through Stained Glass WindowsSaturday, October 9, 2010, 11 am – 2 pm All are invited to attend this self-guided tour of historical churches in north Minneapolis which includes Church of the Ascension (Roman Catholic), River of Life (Lutheran), St. Olaf (Lutheran), St. Andrew’s (Episcopal), and Garden of Gethsemane Ministries Church. Hosts will be present at each site to answer questions about architecture, history of the congregations, and current programs and building use. Lunch will be available at noon at River of Life Lutheran Church. A freewill offering will be received for the lunch, and the proceeds from the lunch will benefit the kitchen renovation project at River of Life Lutheran Church. If you have any questions about this event, please call River of Life church office at 612-521-7655.

September Adult ForumsSeptember 12: Ritual opening of the Education season with Blessing of the Church School year. All learners of all ages are invited and encouraged to participate!September 19: Alex Treitler of Lutheran Social Services will introduce Lutheran Social Services’ new Ambassador Program.September 26: A conversation with Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl about our journey together over the past several months.

About a year ago we played a game during the sermon called “Open or Closed?” It is time to play another game in the yearly Pulpit Challenge Series. This year our game is called “Useless or Useful?” And once again this game requires your participation. Now I, as the moderator of Pulpit Challenge, will ask you a question. You, for your participation, will raise your hand as to whether you think it is useless or useful.

I have got a good one: Dandelion’s. How many say dandelions are useless? Now, how may say useful? Hmm, let’s look break this one down into its smaller parts.

Dandelion roots. Useless? Useful? The answer is useful. The roots can be ground to make a caffeine free substitute for coffee. It can also be cooked as you would any vegetable.

The taproot is deep, twisted, and brittle, the more you try to weed them up, the faster they grow. Unless you remove it completely, it will regenerate. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the dandelion wins. That reminds me of a joke, one day two dandelions were talking: "What's a dandelion digger for?" a dandelion asked. "It is a human invention to help us reproduce," another dandelion replied.- Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places- http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Dandelion.html

Dandelion leaves. Useless? Useful? The answer is useful. The leaves can be used in salads or cooked as greens. BTW the Dandelion’s name comes from the notched shape of the leaves. Dente De Lion is French for “lion’s tooth.”

Dandelion stems. Useless? Useful? The answer is useful. The hollow stalk yields rubbery threads. And children have known about throughout the age of time.

Dandelion flowers. Useless? Useful? The answer is useful. They can be used to make wine. There have been many a home winemaker that has attempted to make Dandelion Wine.

[H]erbalists consider [the dandelion] a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc.

In traditional medicine, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also used dandelion decoctions (liquid made by boiling down the herb in water) to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and stomach upset. Chinese medicinal practitioners traditionally used dandelion to treat digestive disorders, appendicitis, and breast problems (such as inflammation or lack of milk flow). In Europe, herbalists incorporated it into remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.- University of Maryland Medical Center http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dandelion-000236.htm

So, once again, Dandelions. Useless? Useful? They may by useless to you but they are useful to someone else. Thank you for playing this year’s Pulpit Challenge.

Now let’s turn to a little book in the bible, Philemon, actually it is the shortest book at 460 words in English. It is little in size and little known. It is a book which has been seen by some as useless, but it did make it in the cannon, so others have seen it as useful. Almost the entirety of the book or letter was read this morning as the second reading. All of it except four verses, in which Paul requests a guest room to be prepared and he gives a final greeting and benediction.

The letter to Philemon, is the most personal of Paul’s letters. In it he requests that Philemon accept back a runaway slave, Onesimus whom Paul has befriended while in prison.

The name Onesimus, was common among slaves to be named “profitable” and “useful,” not because the slave was particularly profitable or useful, but in the hope that the attachment of this name of good omen would make him so. (Paul Apostle of the Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce, p.402)

Slaves were regarded as a tool but, apparently, this particular Onesimus did not live up to his name and was not a very useful tool. Paul says, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me” (v. 11).

Paul takes a great risk in sending Onesimus back, for a runaway slave, would be mercilessly punished for disobedience. However, Paul counts on Philemon’s upright living and belief in Jesus Christ, of which Paul reminds him in the letter. Paul even appeals to what Paul has done for Philemon to evoke some mercy and grace toward Onesimus.

The Apostle Paul realizes that Christianity is not about escaping one’s past and running away from it; it is about enabling one to face one’s past and rise above it. Onesimus has run away. He must then go back, face up to the consequences of what he did, accept them and rise above them.

It is thought “that Onesimus did not remain a private Christian, but became in due course one of the most important figures in the life of the province of Asia - bishop of Ephesus, no less. It was in his (Onesimus, bishop of Ephesus) that the corpus of Pauline letters was first collected and published, and wherever and by whomsoever this work was carried out, Onesimus (if he was bishop of Ephesus) could scarcely fail to get to know about it, and he would make sure the his Pauline letter found a place in the collection.” (Paul Apostle of the Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce, p.406). Therefore the one who was useless is now useful, not only to Philemon and Paul, but to God and Christ’s church as well.

We, as followers of Jesus, may sometimes think of ourselves as useless. We may wonder, “What good am I in service to Christ’s church? I can’t sing like her, or I can’t do anything creative like him, or I can’t serve a meal like that couple.” We often look at the things we can’t do in order to determine our uselessness. Often we will put ourselves up against others who can do great things, or do things we admire. We often have difficulty seeing our usefulness or our own giftedness, because we are too close to it. Have you ever complemented someone on something they can do (which you can’t do well) what do they say? “It’s not a big deal, or “It’s not that great.” My personal favorite is being with a person who has the gift of hospitality, serving a wonderful meal of at least three or four courses and they say, “I just threw it together.” We often do not see our gifts because they come easy to us.

To make ourselves not feel useless we sometimes may fill our lives with possessions that make us useful. We surround ourselves with stuff that helps us feel better about our inadequacies. Some hide behind clothes, make up, cars, or houses. I once saw a person who was barely over four feet tall, climb into a decked out Ford 350 pickup truck complete with duel rear wheels and jacked up suspension. It looked too nice to be a work pickup truck. I wonder if he was surrounding himself with something that made him feel useful because he really felt useless.

Being in Christ enabled Onesimus to live up to his name and be useful. Our name is Christian, a little Christ, and by God's power we can live up to that name. Our value or worth does not come from inside us and how we feel. It comes to us from the outside, it comes from God, who has come to us in Jesus Christ to give us value and worth and usefulness.

In our gospel reading for today (Luke 14:25-33), we hear some challenging words from Jesus about being his disciples. We hear that we have to hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even life itself, in order to be a disciple of Jesus (Luke 14:26). Hate is a strong word and challenges our usefulness.

What is Jesus saying here, does he really want us to hate? It seems so un-Jesus like. Some scholars have suggested that this “is a Semitic hyperbole that exaggerates a contrast so that it can be seen more clearly. ‘Hate’ (miseō, in Greek) does not mean anger or hostility. It indicates that if there is a conflict, one’s response to the demands of discipleship must take precedence over even the most sacred of human relationships” (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX: Luke & John, p 292).

The call to follow Jesus sometimes will challenge our relationships with people who are closest to us. There was once a young woman who felt God was calling her to the mission field. She was engaged to marry, but as she pursued missionary work she felt more and more certain that’s where she was to go. Her fiancé did not feel the same way. She broke off the relationship to follow God’s call to the mission field. God will use whatever we have to bring the gospel of Jesus to others.

Not all of us are called to follow Jesus in the same way. There once was a farmer who felt God was calling him to become a pastor. One day he saw in the clouds two letters, “PC,” he said God had given him a clear sign to “preach Christ.” So he tried to sell his farm, but couldn’t. But that did not stop him, he rented it out and went off to seminary. He was terrible in seminary, he couldn’t preach, he couldn’t understand the textual criticism, he was failing in Greek and Hebrew. Finally his advisor sat down with him and asked what he was doing at the seminary. He told the advisor about his call and the “PC” in the clouds. The advisor said, “Maybe PC, stands for plant corn. Maybe God was calling you to serve the gospel of Jesus as a farmer.”

Not all of us are called to follow Jesus in the same way. God will use whatever we have to bring the gospel of Jesus to others. None of us are useless in the eyes of God.

So dear friends in Christ, are you useless or useful in the eyes of God? The answer: Useful.